Designing the Ranch
THE RANCH A new, upscale restaurant and saloon brings a long-awaited performance and dance venue for country music to Southern California.
HE RANCH is a state-of-the-art, fine dining and country music establishment located on the ground floor of the brand new Extron Electronics corporate headquarters Tin Anaheim, CA. A personal vision and dream of Extron President Andrew Edwards, THE RANCH comprises a rustic yet elegantly styled restaurant based on regional American cuisine and fine wines, and a similarly themed saloon next door for live concerts and dancing. This new venue delivers a unique combination of a quality culinary experience with a seasonally driven menu emphasizing the best local ingredients grown on THE RANCH farm, and an intimate setting for musical performances featuring local and prime country music artists. Facility Design Team
EXTRON ELECTRONICS Andrew Edwards, President Owner Ron Tucci, Vice President of Facilities Project Manager
NEWSON BROWN ACOUSTICS, LLC Michael Brown, Principal Rolando De La Cruz, Acoustical Consultant Acoustic Design Consultants
Technical Design Team
EXTRON ELECTRONICS Andrew Edwards, President John Fish, CTS-D, Consultant Applications Engineer Principal Designer, Sound and AV Systems Project Manager, Sound, AV and Lighting Systems
ALL STAGE PRO Ian Ingram, Designer, C.O.O. Theatrical Lighting Design Sound System Design Support
MEYER SOUND LABORATORIES, INC. Michael Creason, Design Services Manager FOH Speaker System Design Support THE RANCH Saloon features a large, 47 by 26 foot (14 by 8 m) sunken dance floor for guests to enjoy country music dancing, and be “up close and personal” with the performers on-stage. Inset: President and Owner Andrew Edwards and his wife Morgan.
Inspiration for THE RANCH The Extron Dedication to Customer Satisfaction The inspiration for Andrew Edwards, Extron President and Owner, Extends to THE RANCH to build THE RANCH is his deep, lifelong passion for country For 29 years, Extron Electronics has been delivering high music and dancing the two-step, as well as fine cuisine. It also quality, robust AV product solutions, together with unparalleled, stems from an emotional longing for a flagship destination for personalized customer support services. Both have always country music performances and dancing, which had disappeared been part of Andrew’s uncompromising principle of combining in Orange County and Southern California since the closure in customer satisfaction and product quality. THE RANCH the 1990s of the legendary Crazy Horse Steakhouse & Saloon. For continues to deliver on that business principle through the many years, Andrew would frequent there as well as other venues extensive, year-long culinary R&D program put in place to to experience intimate performances by well-regarded country ensure THE RANCH delivered the best possible dining and wine artists, and dance the two-step with his wife Morgan and his experience from day one. For further insight on THE RANCH daughter Ashton. restaurant, see Andrew’s article on page 6. THE RANCH is Andrew’s personal vision of a new, special This devotion to customer service also included a upscale destination that pays homage to the Crazy Horse, while comprehensive, multi-year process of conceptualizing, designing, honoring the history of country music in North America. It is also and installing a state-of-the-art, live sound reinforcement system a place where passionate country music fans in Orange County featuring high performance Meyer Sound speakers, as well as and Southern California can call “home” again. high performance AV systems featuring Extron audio amplifiers
18 Cover Story AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012 and speakers throughout the saloon and restaurant. Simply put, Andrew wanted THE RANCH to be equipped with “The finest sound system available,” so that patrons could always enjoy a pleasurable, high quality sound experience, whether watching a live performance, dancing, or dining in the restaurant.
Essential AV Requirements at THE RANCH Andrew’s personal vision for THE RANCH, particularly the saloon, was a revival of the historical, intimate country music club atmosphere that brings on-stage performers “up close and personal” with the fans. The saloon features a 40 foot (12 m) wide concert stage with backstage facilities, plus a large, 47 by 26 foot (14 by 8 m) sunken dance floor. Its seating capacity of 178 patrons, or up to 350 with audience seating on the dance floor, makes it a small club venue, yet one with everyone close to the entertainment on-stage. More than two years prior to the start of construction in 2010 for the Extron corporate headquarters building, Andrew and Extron Consultant Applications Engineer John Fish began to lay out the essential requirements and plan solutions for delivering A flexibleE xtron AV routing system provides HD video to six LCD panels over all of the AV operations for THE RANCH. Several experts in live the Longhorn and Mustang bars. sound reinforcement, building acoustics, and broadcast video production were also consulted.
High Performance, Live Sound Reinforcement System Andrew wanted THE RANCH and Acoustics to be equipped with “The finest The most important requirement for the sound system was that it be capable of delivering very high quality reinforcement for sound system available,” so live country music concerts. Basically, the system should be that patrons could always enjoy capable of playing music at a moderately high volume level up a pleasurable, high quality to 105 dB, with a wide, balanced frequency response and be free of distortion. The sound should generally be perceived as being sound experience. loud, yet still comfortable to hear. “The system needs to deliver appreciable sound pressure levels as appropriate, but never actually sound too loud to the point of discomfort,” says Fish. full bandwidth music delivery with even coverage throughout. “This is especially important during concerts, when there is a “We wanted to put in a high density of speakers everywhere to tendency to really crank up the volume from the stage.” avoid the typical ‘hot spots,’ while allowing us to keep the volume Andrew was absolutely insistent on the sonic character at moderate, comfortable listening levels,” Fish says. of the room being a vital part of the sound system, since poor room acoustics can negatively impact audio quality. He AV Presentation Needs therefore mandated a holistic approach to sound system design A total of six large LCD flat-panel displays were to be installed in that includes both acoustic treatment and equipment, with the saloon, four at the 47 foot (14 m) Longhorn bar and two at the the ultimate goal of fully appreciating the sonic performance 27 foot (8.2 m) Mustang bar. Flexible switching and routing would without acoustical issues getting in the way. be necessary, so that staff could switch TV channels for any of the displays, and select the TV channel to be played through overhead High Quality Background Audio speakers at each bar, or engage closed-captioning. The requirement for high quality sound also extended to background music for both the saloon and the restaurant. The Professional Video Capabilities system design needed to include a large quantity of hi-fi quality Although high performance live sound reinforcement would speakers rather than conventional paging speakers to ensure be the major focus for AV in the saloon, there was also the www.avsystemsdesign.com Cover Story 19 2 Large space acoustics 1 Performance venue
High performance sound system 4
Multiple points of Extron control 6
Design Challenges and Solutions at THE RANCH
1 Performance venue next to fine dining restaurant DESIGN CHALLENGE Sound isolation between the saloon and restaurant must be maintained to keep a lively concert performance contained within the saloon, especially for deep bass frequencies. SOLUTION Use a “wall of rooms” design with functional space between the saloon and restaurant. This space, in combination with specialized multi-layered walls creates an effective sound barrier.
2 Large space acoustics DESIGN CHALLENGE 3 Create a controlled acoustical environment within a large, 122,000 cubic foot (3,450 m ) performance space with an RT60 value of just 0.8 seconds, essentially the sonic qualities of a high-end listening room. SOLUTION Use a generous quantity of acoustic materials integrated into ceilings and walls to limit reflections. Install an overhead 4,500 cubic foot (127 m3) bass trap to prevent low frequency resonances.
3 Hidden cable pathways DESIGN CHALLENGE Design a fully adaptable, flexible system infrastructure for future-proofing, with high capacity cable pathways throughout the saloon, while also ensuring that everything is hidden from view. SOLUTION Install wide cable tray systems close to the ceiling that cover the stage and audience areas. Large, below-floor conduits provide concealed cable pathways between the monitor and front-of-house locations. Large conduits also extend through the outer building shell to allow access for production trucks in the parking lot.
20 Cover Story AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012 3 Hidden cable pathways
Multiple sources & destinations 5
4 High performance sound system DESIGN CHALLENGE The high performance sound reinforcement system must be of extremely high quality, meet the expectations of top-level touring acts, and be absolutely failsafe. SOLUTION Use “rider-friendly” sound reinforcement gear in all critical locations, including Meyer Sound line arrays and subwoofers, and Yamaha consoles at the FOH and monitor positions. Create an analog backup pathway parallel to the primary digital audio path.
5 Multiple sources and destinations DESIGN CHALLENGE Provide parallel, flexible signal distribution for both HDMI and composite video to LCD flat panels as well asE xtron TouchLink touchpanels for video preview. Endpoints require cabling distances well over 100 feet (30 meters). SOLUTION Use Extron HDMI and composite video matrix switchers for signal routing and distribution, together with Extron DTP HDMI 301 twisted pair extenders for HDMI signals.
6 Multiple points of Extron control DESIGN CHALLENGE Integrate AV, audio DSP, lighting, and HVAC into a single user control interface, to enable centralized system control from multiple locations throughout THE RANCH. SOLUTION Use Extron IP Link Ethernet control processors and TouchLink touchpanels, together with custom technology developed specifically forT HE RANCH, to work with AV as well as building automation systems.
www.avsystemsdesign.com Cover Story 21 Challenges and Solutions for System Integration at THE RANCH The chance to design and build a restaurant and saloon from scratch allows a very unique opportunity to assume total control over all stages of planning and construction, while avoiding the many integration challenges commonly associated with existing building structures. However, many of the specific and even unique application needs for THE RANCH presented their own challenges that required careful planning, system design, and well thought-out solutions.
Sound Isolation Between the Saloon and Restaurant The saloon and restaurant are separate entities of THE RANCH. One venue will be a lively atmosphere with music presented at appreciable volume levels during concerts and DJ nights, while the other will be a quieter setting with music in the background.
The cold storage area and other rooms near the Longhorn bar are designed With the saloon adjoining the restaurant, a significant issue arises with multi-layered walls to prevent sound from passing between the saloon in trying to keep the sound of a concert performance contained and restaurant. within the saloon. To address the need to attenuate appreciable sound pressure levels from the saloon to the restaurant, Newson Brown Acoustics, need to support presentations and video productions. This LLC, a very well-respected acoustical consulting services company includes adding pan/tilt/zoom HD cameras into the design in Santa Monica, CA, was consulted during the architectural to allow image magnification - IMAG for on-stage performers design stage to help develop an effective solution. Working in and dancers to be captured for routing to large screens and collaboration with GAA Architects, Inc. in Irvine, CA, Newson digital video recorders. Infrastructure was also needed to Brown Acoustics performed detailed acoustical analysis and facilitate outside broadcast production crews, and in-house modeled some potential solutions to isolate sound between the video productions for capturing live performances. The plan two venues. was to add video production capabilities sometime after the A very well-designed, single wall structure would provide some, initial opening of THE RANCH, but have all the available but not enough acoustical isolation. A barrier with two sound wall facilities and infrastructure in advance. structures and a sufficiently sized air gap in between will deliver much better sound abatement, but substantial space would have System Control to be sacrificed. John Fish ultimately proposed a “wall of rooms” THE RANCH had several system control requirements that with two reinforced walls dividing both halves of THE RANCH, extended well beyond switching a TV channel or playing a DVD. and saloon and restaurant operations spanning between them. A single point of control using Extron technology was needed for This offered the dual benefit of having large air gaps roughly controlling the HVAC, lighting, sound system, and AV equipment. between 8 and 15 feet (3 to 4.5 m) to deliver very significant This would give authorized staff the ability to tailor the ambient noise attenuation, while maximizing space between the walls for lighting and audio to a particular setting or application, and functional operations of the saloon and restaurant. quickly and efficiently make environmental adjustments to Successful sound isolation requires careful attention to detail, ensure patron comfort and satisfaction. taking into account all possible avenues for sound leakage, As a particular example, Andrew wanted the system to be including the seams where the walls meet the floor slabs and capable of maintaining temperatures on the dance floor and upper floor deck, electrical junction boxes, and gaps around on the stage below 65° F (18° C), with each zone separately conduit, plumbing, and air ducts. “We really took great care to controlled. Additional zones would be required throughout the minimize the potential for objectionable sound ‘bleed-through’ saloon and also the restaurant, with a total of 36 temperature between the adjacencies for the two spaces,” says Michael Brown, sensors and 33 independently adjustable HVAC zones. All zonal Principal at Newson Brown Acoustics. The “Wall of Rooms” control and monitoring were to be accessible from an Extron sidebar provides more detailed information about the measures TouchLink touchscreen interface. taken to isolate sound between the restaurant and saloon.
22 Cover Story AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012 THE RANCH Floor Plan
THE RANCH is an upscale entertainment venue with TECHNICAL FEATURE ACOUSTIC CHALLENGE UNIQUE FEATURE A B C a restaurant and saloon, as well as a 14,000 bottle Restaurant AV Systems Wall of Rooms 4,500 cu. ft (127 m3) Bass Trap 2 wine cellar. It occupies 20,000 sq. ft (1,858 m ) of the See page 41 See page 25 See page 26 first floor in the new Extron corporate headquarters in Anaheim, California. There are many unique structural and system design elements in THE RANCH that meet numerous acoustical, performance, and operational challenges in establishing particularly high benchmarks for live sound, pro AV, and system control. The performance and capabilities of the AV systems for THE RANCH are well beyond the norm for fine dining and live sound venues.
D Carolina Room Monitor World
FOH E
B
DJ Booth VENUE FACTS VENUE FACTS C The Restaurant The Saloon • 8,400 sq. ft (780 m2) facility • 8,700 sq. ft (810 m2) facility • Exhibition-style 3,000 sq. ft (280 m2) kitchen • 40 ft (12 m) wide concert stage • Seating for 360 guests • 47 by 26 ft (14 by 8 m) sunken dance floor The Porch • Six separate dining areas, including The • Longhorn and Mustang full-service bars Carolina Room for private dining, and The • Concert seating capacity of 350 guests Porch indoor and outdoor patios A • State-of-the-art sound reinforcement system • Background music system featuring 86 featuring Meyer Sound speakers
Extron System Integrator Series speakers • 14 flown speaker cabinets in two line arrays and nine Extron MPA and XTRA Series • Five double-18 inch (46 cm) subwoofers in a ENERGY STAR qualified amplifiers custom-built bunker below-stage
• 12 independently controllable audio zones • 87 Extron System Integrator Series • Dedicated AV presentation systems for The Restaurant Saloon speakers installed with ten Extron XTRA Entrance Entrance Carolina Room and The Porch Series ENERGY STAR qualified amplifiers • Extron control system with TouchLink to support 19 audio zones touchpanels for AV, lighting, and HVAC control • AV system featuring Extron SMX 300-based • Lutron lighting control systems HDMI/DVI switching, distribution, and long • Bidirectional digital audio links connect distance transmission via DTP HDMI 301 to restaurant and saloon audio systems six 52 inch (132 cm) LCD monitors • Extensive acoustic treatments within ceilings • Extron control system with TouchLink D UNIQUE FEATURE E TECHNICAL FEATURE and on walls throughout touchpanels for AV, audio DSP, lighting, Speaker Constellation in Trellis Subwoofer Bunker and HVAC control See page 32 See page 30 • Extensive acoustic treatments on ceiling and walls, plus a large overhead bass trap
RESTAURANT & SALOON
www.avsystemsdesign.com Cover Story 23 24 Wall of Rooms Creating a Controlled Acoustical Environment Within a Overall, the room’s sonic character is very well-controlled In order to isolate and prevent live music produced in the saloon from entering the restaurant, the design team utilized Large Space without sounding excessively damped. “We determined the a “wall of rooms” concept, in which functional spaces such as the ticket booth, security booth, storage area, and The room acoustics had to be well-controlled to minimize their appropriate quantity of acoustical treatment by detailed restrooms were constructed between the saloon and restaurant, using multi-layered walls on both sides to block acoustic impact on sound system performance. John Fish targeted an calculation, to provide the optimal balance between audio transmission. Each wall utilizes multiple layers of building material, such as gypsum drywall, acoustic batting, and air gaps. RT60 of 0.8 seconds for the saloon, which essentially would clarity, which benefits from minimal reverberation, and room The wall system transduces air vibration – acoustical energy – into wall vibration – mechanical energy – then back into air make it comparable to a benchmark listening room in a ambience, which ensures perceptible audience response for the vibration. These changes in state greatly attenuate the acoustical energy. The functional spaces between the walls span production studio. However, the saloon was to occupy a large, performers,” Brown says. 8 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 m), providing another important barrier that further reduces the acoustic energy. 122,000 cubic foot (3,450 m3) volume in an empty building To control the low frequency resonances that can give the shell, which inherently presents opportunities for reverberation bass response within the environment an objectionable “boomy” because of the wide open space and the numerous character, Newson Brown Acoustics took advantage of a large, reflective surfaces. empty space above the Longhorn bar to design and install a Dual Layer 5/8" (1.6 cm) Acoustical treatments included 6 inches (16 cm) of semi- large bass trap. See the sidebar below. This solution proved Gypsum Board Acoustic Steel Plate rigid fiberglass panels on the ceiling, 2 inch (5 cm) semi-rigid very effective in absorbing bass frequencies and ensures a tight, Sealant fiberglass panels on a significant portion of the walls along the well-defined sonic character from the subwoofers. perimeter of the saloon, heavy black drapery lining the back wall of the stage, and a combination of rigid and semi-rigid Designing a Fully Adaptable, Flexible System Infrastructure acoustic panels on the perimeter walls of the dance floor. See Commercial AV system designs often include some form of the sidebar, “Overcoming Acoustical Challenges.” Some elements future-proofing to allow some opportunity for expansion. But of the saloon’s interior design, including the brickwork for the for THE RANCH, and the saloon in particular, there was a columns and the cedar beam trellis around the dance floor, wide range of potential future applications and functions to provided diffusion to give the sonic character some liveliness. be supported, especially video presentation and production, as Acoustic Batting Acoustic Energy 4,500 Cubic Foot (127 m3) Bass Trap
A large bass trap, measuring 7.5 ft (2.3 m) tall, 50 ft (15 m) Triple Layer 5/8" Gypsum Board long, and 12 ft (3.7 m) deep, was constructed over the Longhorn bar, directly opposing the stage. It serves to
attenuate acoustic reflections and limit standing waves 2" (5 cm) to optimize the low frequency response of the room, Acoustic Panel
significantly improving the clarity of the sound mix.T he Acoustic Energy bass trap utilizes six layers of 2 inch (5 cm) thick semi- rigid insulation panels, spaced out to progressively reduce Black Drapery Covering acoustic energy as it passes through the layers. All surfaces of the cavity are lined with these panels, and the AC Outlet with Restrooms, Storage opening is covered with a thick black drape to conceal Acoustic Sealant Area, or other the bass trap. Functional Space
Bass Trap Acoustic energy within the saloon is fully Trellis diminished by three sonic barriers before it can enter the restaurant. The first barrier is the wall boundary for the saloon. The second
barrier is the air space on the other side of the Stage Mustang Bar Longhorn Bar wall. The final barrier is the wall boundary for Air Gap the restaurant, a complex structure of multi- Subwoofer Bunker layered construction elements that complete the acoustic attenuation. LIFT PAGE to see the oor plan
25 26 AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012 Overcoming Acoustical Challenges
A common reality, in the construction of live music venues, is that acoustical considerations are not addressed due to budget constraints or aesthetic demands. For example, interior design elements can take precedence over good acoustic principles, leading to reflective surfaces that conflict with the intended sonic character of the venue. The most important functional objective for the saloon
was to deliver very high quality sound with a low RT60 value for good tonal definition and intelligibility.T herefore, acoustical treatments needed to be accommodated An extensive infrastructure of cable trays and conduit travel above and below within the interior styling. In the restaurant, acoustical the stage and audience area in order to accommodate current and future considerations also were very important, to create a applications and technologies. sonically well-controlled environment where patrons can always converse normally and comfortably with each other, even when the restaurant is busy. The perimeter walls around the saloon and many of well as new technologies that may emerge down the line. John the walls in the restaurant were treated with semi-rigid, Fish was tasked with the unusual challenge of designing a system 2 inch (5 cm) acoustic panels and covered with acoustically infrastructure with the maximum flexibility to basically allow transparent fabric. The walls surrounding the sunken any sort of new technology, cable, device, or application to be dance floor were acoustically treated with 1 inch (2.5 cm) incorporated into the system, permanently or temporarily, without semi-rigid panels behind 1 inch rigid panels for protection against accidental bumping. These panels limit the major structural changes or system redesign. “bouncing” of sonic waves off hard surfaces that lead to Fish designed the infrastructure with a system of overhead unwanted reverberations and a degradation of the overall cable trays and vertical ladder trays that provide ample reach for sound quality in the saloon. In the restaurant, the panels routing cables anywhere above and below the stage, and above significantly reduce the hard surface reflections typical in the dance floor and seating areas. The system originates from many restaurants that lead to elevated ambient noise levels, the equipment racks in Monitor World, an area at stage right making it difficult to have normal conversations. The acoustic panels have an NRC - Noise Reduction dedicated to the monitor console, amplifiers, signal processing, Coefficient rating of 0.95, meaning they absorb 95% of the and audio patching. This cable management system keeps a large sound that comes into contact with the panel in the critical quantity of cabling well-organized, and provides plenty of space 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, and 2 kHz vocal ranges. While for expansion and modifications. these panels are intended to help control reflections within Additional cable paths were also provided below the stage the space, they also aid in reducing sound transmission and under the dance floor. PVC pipes were installed at the between the saloon and restaurant. building exterior behind the stage, leading below-stage to a 5/8" (1.6 cm) floor box upstage center with additional conduits running to Gypsum Board the FOH - Front of House console area, and to Monitor World. 2" (5 cm) Acoustic Panel Having conduit access at the building exterior will allow direct connection to a video production truck rolled in for a special event or media coverage. The large conduit paths will provide plenty of space for video engineers to easily run whatever cable Acoustic Energy they need for their cameras and other video equipment in the saloon. “We asked ourselves the question of what to provide for Fabric Covering a broadcast truck, whether triax, SDI, or fiber,” Fish says. Wood Trim “Ultimately, the answer was simple – none of them! Just provide a generous conduit path so anything can be brought in with Acoustic panels integrated into the interior design of THE RANCH no restrictions.” contribute to the desired RT60 value of 0.8 seconds, by absorbing up Fish also included extensive tie lines for XLR, coaxial, fiber, to 95% of sound waves in the vocal frequency range. and CAT 6 connections extending from dedicated patch panels
www.avsystemsdesign.com Cover Story 27 at Monitor World out to several locations on the stage, as well as are large vertical arrays designed for much larger venues than the FOH console area. This provides a ready-to-go interconnection a club. “Bringing arrays into a small club environment is an infrastructure for bringing in production equipment, placing it interesting challenge for sound design, because they’re really for anywhere on-stage or in the audience to meet touring riders with big spaces,” Fish says. specific audio or video connectivity needs. Fish’s system design begins with 76 total available microphone “A prominent engineer for a televised awards program connections on-stage, from floor boxes and wall panels. These evaluated what we were doing with the infrastructure design,” connections are homerun to patch panels in the racks in Monitor Fish says. “His verdict was, ‘This is perfect! There is everything World. From there, 48 mic lines are available for patching into a we need to have a production here.’” custom Ramtech stage box that provides two direct outputs and two Jensen transformer-isolated outputs. The direct outputs go Creating a High Performance, Credible Live Sound to remote mic preamps, and directly to the FOH console as an Reinforcement System Design analog backup. The isolated outputs are for monitoring and for Andrew had envisioned THE RANCH as the benchmark venue video broadcast production trucks. The monitoring outputs go to a for local artists, as well as the destination in the region for Yamaha M7CL 48-channel digital mixing console, where the mic top country performers seeking an appealing, more intimate channels are mixed, processed, and then output to the monitor alternative to the large arenas, stadiums, and performing arts system. A Yamaha DME 64N DSP digital mixer further processes centers. Therefore, the mandate to John Fish was straightforward: and optimizes the audio for eight stereo wireless in-ear monitor go for “the best” in performance and quality when selecting systems, and a variety of Meyer Sound stage monitor speakers equipment for the live performance system, to make it capable of including the UM-1P and UM-100P, and the UMS-1P subwoofer. meeting the typical requirements in riders for these top touring acts. “The system is being designed far beyond what would be Front-of-House Console expected in a normal club, simply because of the need to be able The mic channels that passed though the Ramtech stage box are to attract top-level performers,” Fish says. routed to seven Yamaha AD8HR high performance mic preamps. Despite the mandate to specify “the best” equipment, The AD8HR preamps feature the same well-renowned microphone designing a live sound reinforcement system that meets the preamplifier circuitry in Yamaha’s flagship PM5000 analog mixing typical riders for top touring acts can be challenging in many console. Here, the mic signals are converted to 48 kHz/24-bit ways. Sound engineers for high-level acts may be particular about digital audio, and then the AES/EBU digital audio channels are the brand and model of certain gear they’ll want to use, such as converted to EtherSound through Yamaha NAI48-ES network the mixing console or microphones. Therefore, bringing in the audio interfaces. The result is a single STP network cable that best from a specific manufacturer may be good for one artist carries all the mic channels over to the FOH area, and into a but not preferable for another. Another challenge is that many second Yamaha M7CL digital mixing console. products right-sized for a small club venue, such as speakers, may The performance of the FOH mixing console plays a very not be rider-friendly. Speakers acceptable to touring acts typically important role in the quality of the sound mix for the main left and right stage speakers, and therefore the overall performance of the live sound reinforcement system. FOH engineers working with top-level artists generally demand top-quality consoles. Since “the best” was needed for THE RANCH, a high-end digital mixing console was certainly under consideration. But the reality with mixing consoles is that at the upper-tier of FOH engineers working for top-level touring acts, there tend to be individual preferences. Choosing a specific model could mean that one top-level act might embrace it, while another may not want to work with it at all. The Yamaha PM5D was among the top-tier consoles being considered for THE RANCH. This console and the smaller M7CL are very popular with FOH engineers. It was ultimately decided that instead of choosing the higher-end touring console, the M7CL would be a better fit for the saloon because of its wide appeal and accessibility to FOH engineers working with a range of bands, including local, mid-level, and also top-tier acts that happen to
28 Cover Story AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012 Saloon Performance Audio System
Microphones
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 AD CONVERTOR WITH REMOTE PREAMP 1 OVER 2 OVER 3 OVER 4 OVER 5 OVER 6 OVER 7 OVER 8 OVER +48V POWER 96kHz -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 88.2kHz -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 48kHz HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 44.1kHz -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 HPF WORD CLOCK IN GAIN/ +48V DIGITAL OUT A dB DATA MASTER OFF ON 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 WORD CLOCK ON/ OFF
AD CONVERTOR WITH REMOTE PREAMP
1 OVER 2 OVER 3 OVER 4 OVER 5 OVER 6 OVER 7 OVER 8 OVER +48V POWER 96kHz -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 88.2kHz -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 48kHz HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 44.1kHz -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 HPF WORD CLOCK IN GAIN/ +48V DIGITAL OUT A dB DATA MASTER OFF ON WORD CLOCK ON/ OFF
Analog 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 AD CONVERTOR WITH REMOTE PREAMP 1 OVER 2 OVER 3 OVER 4 OVER 5 OVER 6 OVER 7 OVER 8 OVER +48V POWER 96kHz -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 88.2kHz -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 48kHz HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 44.1kHz -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 HPF WORD CLOCK IN GAIN/ +48V 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 DIGITAL OUT A dB DATA MASTER OFF ON WORD CLOCK ON/ OFF
AD CONVERTOR WITH REMOTE PREAMP Analog 1 OVER 2 OVER 3 OVER 4 OVER 5 OVER 6 OVER 7 OVER 8 OVER +48V POWER 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 96kHz -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 88.2kHz -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 48kHz HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 44.1kHz -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 HPF WORD CLOCK IN GAIN/ +48V 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 DIGITAL OUT A dB DATA MASTER OFF ON 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 WORD CLOCK ON/ OFF AD CONVERTOR WITH REMOTE PREAMP
1 OVER 2 OVER 3 OVER 4 OVER 5 OVER 6 OVER 7 OVER 8 OVER +48V POWER 96kHz -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 88.2kHz -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 48kHz HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 44.1kHz -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 HPF WORD CLOCK IN GAIN/ +48V DIGITAL OUT A dB DATA MASTER OFF ON 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 WORD CLOCK ON/ OFF
AD CONVERTOR WITH REMOTE PREAMP 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 OVER 2 OVER 3 OVER 4 OVER 5 OVER 6 OVER 7 OVER 8 OVER +48V POWER 96kHz -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 88.2kHz -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 48kHz HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 44.1kHz -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 HPF 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 WORD CLOCK IN GAIN/ +48V DIGITAL OUT A dB DATA MASTER OFF ON WORD CLOCK ON/ OFF 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 AD CONVERTOR WITH REMOTE PREAMP 1 OVER 2 OVER 3 OVER 4 OVER 5 OVER 6 OVER 7 OVER 8 OVER +48V POWER 96kHz -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 +48V -12 88.2kHz -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 48kHz HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 HPF -30 44.1kHz -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 -48 HPF WORD CLOCK IN GAIN/ +48V DIGITAL OUT A dB DATA MASTER OFF ON 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 WORD CLOCK ON/ OFF Remote Microphone Preamps 49 50 51 52 53 54 Digital
FOH MONITOR BROADCAST POWER ISOLATED ISOLATED EtherSound
POWER Network Audio Interface Digital EtherSound
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -15 -15 -15 -15 -15 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE -24 -24 -24 -24 -24 CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER -40 -40 -40 -40 -40 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -50 -50 -50 -50 -50 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 MIX MATRIX -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18
-30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30
-60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 MIX / MATRIX HA DYNAMICS 1
ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON THRESHOLD ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON Stage Box PAN DYNAMICS 1
THRESHOLD HPF 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 FREQUENCY EQ 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 HIGH 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FREQUENCY 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 HIGH MID 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 House Monitoring Broadcast 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 FREQUENCY Analog Backup 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 LOW MID 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30
FREQUENCY 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 LOW 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60
FREQUENCY
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 Digital SCENE MEMORY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ST IN ST IN ST IN ST IN STEREO MONO 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 1 2 3 4
STORE RECALL 0 10 SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL MONITOR SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL LEVEL
CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE USER DEFINED KEYS CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE CUE OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER OVER
-6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6
-12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 1 2 3 4 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -18 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30 Analog Backup -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60
ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON 5 6 7 8 ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON
9 10 11 12 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Analog Backup 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 MATRIX
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 17-24 25-32 41-48 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
MIX9-16 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 1-8 9-16 ST IN STEREO 33-40 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 MIX1-8 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 DCA 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60
ST IN ST IN ST IN ST IN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 STEREO MONO 33 34 35 36 37 38 49 40
FOH Mixing Console
Signal Processors Digital Speaker Speaker Management System Management System
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Analog Digital ENTER ENTER
ACE SIGNAL/CLIP ACE SIGNAL/CLIP SIM SIM Backup Primary MUTE MUTE Path ENTER ENTER Path 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
ENTER ENTER
MENU CANCEL MENU CANCEL BDF SIGNAL/CLIP BDF SIGNAL/CLIP
MUTE MUTE
Center Fill Speaker Dance Floor Dance Floor MDA 3A
Left Fill Extron Right Fill POWER INPUT OUTPUTS 12V BAL .3A MAX RL L 1 R 2L R L R3 ON MDA 3A 1 2 3 1 2 3 UNBAL Distribution Ampli er
Front Fill Speakers
House Left Speaker Array Subwoofers House Right Speaker Array
CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4 CH 5 CH 6 CH 7 CH 8
VOLTAGE
AC POWER LOAD CURRENT
0 Column Fill Speakers 48 V DC Power Supply
www.avsystemsdesign.com Cover Story 29 2" Fiberglass Panels (3) 2" Fiberglass Panels (2) 8" CMU Concrete Wall
Acoustically Transparent Fabric Cover
Meyer Sound 700-HP (5) Subwoofer Bunker
Five Meyer Sound 700-HP subwoofers were installed under the stage. This conveniently conceals them from view, but the space under the stage can create a resonance cavity that could affect performance. Additionally, significant deep bass will emanate behind the subs and adversely affect performers on the stage. An option considered was the use of cardioid subs, which limit directionality to the front of the sub, by sending out in-phase and out-of-phase low frequencies that cancel out around the rear of the cabinet. However, achieving this effect requires sufficient space behind the subs, and the performers would be too close to them. The solution was to construct a special “bunker” under the stage to enclose the subwoofer array. The fiberglass panels and the cement walls act to block low frequencies coming out from behind or above the subwoofers, effectively “pushing out” all of the deep bass from the front of the subwoofer array and into the room.
be using the PM5D console. Furthermore, many acts can bring “The DSPs act as the traffic cop for all of the audio in the saloon.” in their M7CL settings on a USB flash drive and plug it right into The Soundweb London DSPs together provide total I/O capacity the saloon’s console, and top-level performers can have their for up to 32 digital input channels, 20 analog input channels, 12 PM5D settings translated for use on the M7CL. For performing digital output channels, and 32 analog output channels. There acts wanting high-end consoles, THE RANCH can simply rent a are digital audio links to and from the restaurant, to facilitate specific model for the show. expansion of restaurant operations into the saloon, or bringing “Although we easily could have had a top-end console, the fact live concert sound into the restaurant dining rooms. that everyone will work with the M7CL made it the obvious choice for us,” Fish says. “We’ll bring in whatever is needed for the big Meyer Sound Speaker Line Arrays acts, even a legacy analog console if that’s what they want.” As with the FOH console, the performance of the main left and right speakers is critical in defining the quality of the live Audio Signal Management and DSP sound reinforcement system. Meyer Sound is a particularly The resulting “house mix” coming out of the M7CL console travels well-respected brand for live sound reinforcement. Andrew back over EtherSound to Monitor World, where it is converted to had fostered a very close relationship with Helen and John AES/EBU and then sent to a system of five BSS Audio Soundweb Meyer, and as a result, they agreed to provide close guidance London digital audio processors. These DSPs process the house and support throughout the system design, installation, and mix, as well as audio from the DJ and AV systems. They then commissioning, using the resources and talent of the Meyer provide centralized routing and management of audio signals to Sound engineering team. the main stage left and right speakers, the subwoofers, and the When evaluating the ideal speakers to provide sufficient many other speakers throughout the saloon. As Fish describes it, coverage for the size of the saloon, Meyer engineers initially
30 Cover Story AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012 suggested that a horizontal speaker cluster might be ideal for the left and right stage speakers. Each cluster would have speakers aimed toward the dance floor and speakers facing out to the side seating areas. But top-level acts for live sound generally use vertical speaker arrays for projecting sound in large venues. FOH engineers for touring acts are accustomed to mixing to vertical arrays, and they will typically be specified in riders. So the decision was made to go with vertical arrays for THE RANCH. Fish selected Meyer Sound MICA speakers for the saloon sound system. A compact array of just six speakers on each side of the stage provides the right amount of dispersion needed to cover the size of the saloon. Smaller array speakers with somewhat more modest amp power could have been chosen for THE RANCH, but since the MICA was reasonably compact, and also familiar to touring acts alongside the MILO, its bigger brother, it turned out to be the best choice for meeting touring riders. The substantial power output capability of the MICA arrays, though well beyond what was necessary, provides an important advantage in that the speakers will be driven far below their To meet this challenge, a subwoofer array of five Meyer Sound maximum capability, which allows the sound to be maintained 700-HP subwoofers, each with two 18 inch (45 cm) drivers, is at a very high quality level and well below distortion. Patrons enclosed in an acoustic “bunker” under the stage to contain bass at THE RANCH in turn will always be assured a comfortable, energy and direct it outward, while preserving the visual appeal pleasurable listening experience without the sound from the stage of the stage. See the “Subwoofer Bunker” sidebar for additional blasting at them. “This is a critical advantage in meeting a very information. Subtle time delays of 1 ms and 3 ms were added to important mandate by Andrew to maintain moderate volume the inner and outer subwoofer pairs, respectively, to help “spread” levels at all times, even during a full-blown concert,” Fish says. the bass outward from the five-sub array. While the five double-18 inch subwoofers certainly deliver very Meyer Sound Subwoofers clean, tight bass at notable sound pressure levels, the amount of An ample quantity of subwoofers was needed to deliver clean, low frequencies may be too much for anyone close to the stage, solid, undistorted deep bass, with a flat in-room response down particularly when the dance floor is used for theater or table- to 20 Hz, at moderate levels well below distortion. But in a club style seating during special events. An additional Meyer Sound setting, finding the space to place them can be difficult. Stacking 600-HP twin 15-inch (38 cm) subwoofer was flown above each them vertically on-stage yields an ideal cylindrical distribution MICA speaker array, allowing some of the low-end to be directed pattern for the room, but this method takes up considerable space to them instead of the under-stage subs. “Having the 600-HPs and performers do not like being in close proximity to them. will allow us to steer some of the bass away from the dance floor to minimize exposure for audience members seated there,” Fish explains. “The additional subs will also give us extra flexibility to support other applications.”
Additional Meyer Sound Speakers Audience members or dancers very close to the stage will be out of the ideal coverage pattern of the main speakers. To compensate, Fish selected four Meyer Sound UPM-1P compact profile speakers to provide front fill for those close to the stage. In addition, Fish provided center fill from a Meyer Sound UPQ-1P speaker, flown above the stage in between the MICA arrays. This was for dancers or a segment of the audience around the center of the dance floor, where they would be just beyond the ideal dispersion pattern of
The subwoofer bunker the arrays. during construction www.avsystemsdesign.com Cover Story 31 Above: Custom black-painted Extron SI 26CT speakers were used overhead in the bar areas to ensure high bandwidth music delivery and even coverage throughout. Right: Custom Extron SI 28 speakers were mounted in the trellis over the audience areas using custom mounting brackets fabricated in-house.
Certain areas to the left and right of the dance floor may be blocked from the main speaker arrays by columns. Fish had a Meyer Sound MM-4XP speaker attached to the rear side of each column to help project sound from the arrays to those areas. The speakers are remotely powered by an MPS-488HP 48 V engineering team found to be a very good match for the SI 28. The power supply. SI 28s were also used in conjunction with a series of transformer- All of the Meyer Sound speakers are set up and optimized with modified Extron SI 28W two-way in-wall speakers mounted into the Meyer Sound Galileo DSP processor. The Galileo provides the ceiling, in an audience area that extends beyond the trellis. dedicated calibration and DSP adjustments for each individual A total of 35 SI 28 and seven SI 28W speakers were installed, speaker model, including parametric EQ, delay, matrix mixing, effectively forming a “constellation” of downward-firing speakers and filtering. to fully envelop the seating areas around the dance floor. Custom mounts were made at Extron to allow the SI 28s to be side-mounted Extron Speakers for the Perimeter Areas to the trellis beams. These speakers were powered by Extron The Meyer Sound speakers provide excellent coverage for areas XPA 2002-70V two channel 400 watt, ENERGY STAR qualified within and bordering the dance floor. However, many of the amplifiers. There are 11 speaker zones in the trellis seating areas, seating areas are beyond the ideal reach of these speakers. This all with precise delay mapping and blend from the house left/right could be addressed by turning up the volume of the stage speakers. mix. There are an additional eight zones that cover both bars, the But then the sound can become very loud and uncomfortable for lobby, smoking patio, and restrooms. This high density of speakers those near the stage. One of the most important objectives for the for 70 volt distribution allows optimal projection of sound from the sound system was very good distribution of sound everywhere, stage without having to greatly increase the volume, which in turn with the sound in the room seeming loud when appropriate, but keeps the speakers operating with plenty of headroom to maintain not actually loud to the point of patron discomfort. consistent audio quality. As Fish summarizes it, the speaker What Fish needed to do was take the sound from the stage constellation “supports the main stage speakers by spreading the arrays and “project” it into the outer areas beyond the dance floor. sound all around to ensure even, comfortable listening levels The original design solution was to add an exploded delay cluster during concerts, on DJ nights, or when a local band is playing.” with the speakers spread around the perimeter of the dance floor, each suspended from the ceiling. But when Andrew decided Totally Failsafe System Operation that a cedar beam trellis would be added to the interior design, The design for the live sound reinforcement system needed this solution would not be practical. Fish then decided to take to include sufficient measures to ensure that a concert event advantage of the trellis and design a 70 volt speaker distribution continues uninterrupted in the event of any problems in the system. system using black Extron SI 28 two-way surface mount speakers Fish fulfilled this requirement by creating fully redundant digital mounted to the beams, firing straight downward. The speakers and analog audio paths, from the microphones to the speakers. were modified with high quality Altec transformers that the Extron This approach to system design is significantly beyond the norm
32 Cover Story AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012 for live performance venues, and is often considered redundant input into a Rane Serato scratch processor. The audio outputs or costly. But for THE RANCH, it was an important aspect of its from the Rane Serato and the laptop are fed into a Pioneer DJ priority to maximize customer satisfaction. mixer. Two wireless microphone systems are also connected into Analog XLR lines from the stage box run parallel to the the DJ mixer, for use by the DJ and the dance instructor. EtherSound going to the FOH console. Redundant digital and S/PDIF digital audio output from the DJ mixer is sent to the analog paths were also provided out of the FOH console and over Soundweb London DSPs and ultimately to the Meyer Sound and to the DSPs. Fish built additional redundancy into the system by Extron speakers. As with the live sound reinforcement system, a having the digital and analog console feeds going into two separate secondary analog stereo output from the DJ mixer serves as a DSPs, which send out duplicate AES/EBU and analog XLR signals, backup to ensure full system reliability. each to its own Meyer Sound Galileo DSP that optimizes the audio Two Meyer Sound UPQ-1P speakers, installed above the rear of for the Meyer Sound speakers. See the diagram on page 29. the dance floor, provide back fill for the DJ. These are also used as Several physical and logical access points were made available surround speakers when the system is used in a surround sound throughout the signal chains for switching over to analog. application. Additionally, there are two Extron SI 28W speakers “In the end, we have provided an analog backup for the entire installed on the ceiling in the DJ booth, and fed from the DJ mixer digital audio chain,” Fish says. “This is very unusual in live sound via an Extron XPA 2002 two channel 400 watt power amplifier. systems, but for us it will absolutely ensure that ‘the show must The sound system is fully capable of revealing the artifacts and go on,’ no matter what may happen.” limitations inherent in compressed music files that DJs use when playing back from their laptops. Therefore, Andrew insisted that all DJ System music tracks must be uncompressed, sourced from CDs, to ensure An alcove at stage left serves as a booth for the DJ, and for the highest sound quality. A dedicated, large capacity media housing the DJ system. This system includes two Pioneer multi- server will eventually house a comprehensive library of WAV files format audio players for CDs and music files and the DJ’s laptop sourced from THE RANCH’s growing collection of country music that serve as the primary music sources. The audio players are on CDs, and serve as the primary music source for the DJ system.
The saloon AV system in the DJ booth features an Extron DVS 510 scaling presentation switcher, an SMX 300 modular matrix switcher with SMX 88 HDMI boards, a MAV Plus 168 AV matrix switcher, and a PowerCage 1600 enclosure designated for future system expansion.
www.avsystemsdesign.com Cover Story 33 System Fine-Tuning and Optimization supporting the main sound reinforcement system by sending DJ Fish performed a detailed system calibration procedure for the or concert sound to areas including the restrooms, backstage, bars, Meyer Sound speakers, particularly the MICA arrays that included and patio. The system design accommodates numerous source frequency response optimization for individual speakers in the devices and displays as well as local AV hookups, plus plenty of array, based on spatial averaging from several locations in the I/O capacity to support future additions or applications. room. As a result of this detailed fine-tuning, he was able to have the arrays perform their very best by delivering accurate sonic Video detail and creating a wide, cohesive stereo image. This allows an The AV system, housed in the DJ booth, provides distribution FOH engineer to create a true stereo mix, which is beyond the of video to six 52 inch (132 cm) Sharp LCD displays at the bars. norm for typical performance venues. According to Fish, “The The AV sources are primarily seven DirecTV HD tuners but engineer can actually pan vocals and instruments according to also include Blu-ray Disc and DVD players, a network media their locations on-stage.” player, and a triple-iPod/iPhone dock. Apart from the iPod Fish also optimized all of the Extron distributed speakers in dock, these sources output HDMI at HDTV 1080p to an Extron the saloon with DSP processing to fully complement the MICA SMX 300 System MultiMatrix modular matrix switcher, with arrays, dividing up the speakers into 19 zones, and then applying two SMX 88 HDMI boards daisy-chained. The HDMI outputs the appropriate amount of delay and blend from the left and right are then transmitted over twisted pair to the six LCD displays, arrays into them. “The Extron speakers work together with the using Extron DTP HDMI 301 long distance extenders. main speakers to give presence from the stage, even when you’re The AV system also provides parallel composite video well away from the dance floor,” he says. “You really can’t tell signal routing from the sources, so they can be previewed they’re there unless someone shuts them off.” on Extron TouchLink touchpanels throughout the saloon. Composite video outputs from the AV sources feed into an Comprehensive AV System Extron MAV Plus 168 AV matrix switcher, and its outputs are The saloon includes a fully equipped AV system that serves transmitted to the touchpanels via Extron MTP T AV RCA a variety of applications, from watching TV at the bars, to twisted pair transmitters.
Equipment racks in Monitor World at stage right house the performance sound system equipment including Extron XTRA Series 70 volt amplifiers, remote mic preamps, DSPs, speaker management, and a custom stage box with isolated splits for monitoring and broadcast. 34 AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012 Saloon AV Video System
Extron Extron DVI 201 A D Tx DVI 201 A D Tx Extron Transmitter Extron Transmitter MTP T 15HD A D (Upstage Center) MTP T 15HD A D (DJ Booth) Transmitter Transmitter Blu-ray Players (Upstage Center) (DJ Booth) INPUT INPUT DVI DVI
AUDIO L+R AUDIO L+R
RS-232 RS-232 PASS THRU PASS THRU
Rx Rx DIRECTV Receivers AUDIO IN Tx AUDIO IN Tx
PUSH PUSH HDMI COMPUTER IN COMPUTER IN POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD
SELECT DIRECTV CAT 5-type CAT 5-type
PUSH PUSH
POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD
SELECT DIRECTV
PUSH PUSH
POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD SELECT DVD Players DIRECTV Extron Extron
PUSH PUSH
POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD MTP/HDMI U R MTP/HDMI U R
SELECT DIRECTV Receiver Receiver
PUSH PUSH
POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD ANALOG ANALOG SELECT SIGNAL RGB SIGNAL RGB DIRECTV VID LEVEL PEAKING DIGITAL SIGNAL VID LEVEL PEAKING DIGITAL SIGNAL AUDIO Y/C AUDIO Y/C RS-232 YUV RS-232 YUV
PUSH PUSH RGB RGB
POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD
SELECT MTP/HDMI U R MTP/HDMI U R DIRECTV
PUSH PUSH
POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD
SELECT DIRECTV HDMI RGB HDMI RGB Composite Video Media Player
Composite Video INPUTS PIP PICTURE CONTROLS ADJUST VOLUME PIP SIZE BRIGHT DETAIL MENU 1 2 3 4 5 ON/OFF /CONT MAX MID IR CONFIG MIN PIP POSITION COLOR ZOOM NEXT 6 7 8 9 10 SWAP /TINT /PAN
DVS 510 DIGITAL VIDEO SCALER Composite Video Extron DVS 510 SA HDMI HDMI DVI Scaling Presentation Switcher
I/O PLANE SELECT 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
INPUTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 CONTROL HDMI Extron ENTER PRESET VIEW ESC CONFIG DTP HDMI 301 Tx P MAIN Extron 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 O W OUTPUTS E Transmitters R I/O CARDS SMX 300 Frame SMX SERIES SWITCHER with 2 SMX 88 HDMI
DTP HDMI 301 Tx HDMI HDMI HDMI
INPUTS Extron 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 DTP HDMI 301 Rx CONTROL DVI INPUT LOCAL OUTPUT I/O DTP HDMI 301 Tx Receivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ENTER PRESET VIEW ESC VIDEO AUDIO OUTPUTS DVI 200 Tx SERIES RS-232 IR MAV PLUS SERIES CAT 5-type AV MATRIX SWITCHER with IP LINK™ Extron Extron DVI 201 Tx RxTx RxTx DTP HDMI 301 Rx MAV Plus 168 AV Transmitter Extron 16x8 Matrix Switcher RS-232 IR MTP T AV RCA Composite Video RxTx RxTx DTP HDMI 301 Rx Twisted Pair HDMI Transmitters DVI INPUT LOCAL OUTPUT
DVI 200 Tx SERIES HDMI Extron DVI 201 Tx CAT 5-type Transmitter CAT 5-type
OUTPUT OUTPUT DVI DVI
AUDIO L+R AUDIO L+R LCD Display (Mustang Bar) RS-232 RS-232 PASS THRU PASS THRU
Rx Rx
Tx Tx LCD Display (Mustang Bar) Extron Extron Extron Extron Extron Extron DVI 201 A D Rx DVI 201 A D Rx TLP 1000TV TLP 1000TV TLP 1000MV TLP 1000MV DTP HDMI 301 Tx 10" Tabletop 10" Tabletop 10" Wall Mount 10" Wall Mount Receiver Receiver TouchLink TouchLink TouchLink TouchLink (Upstage Center) (DJ Booth) Touchpanel Touchpanel Touchpanel Touchpanel CAT 5-type (DJ Booth) (Longhorn Bar) (Mustang Bar) DTP HDMI 301 Tx
RS-232 IR
DTP HDMI 301 Tx RxTx RxTx DTP HDMI 301 Rx
Extron RS-232 IR
DTP HDMI 301 Tx RxTx RxTx DTP HDMI 301 Rx Transmitters DTP HDMI 301 Tx HDMI
RS-232 IR CAT 5-type
RxTx RxTx DTP HDMI 301 Rx Extron RS-232 IR DTP HDMI 301 Rx Receivers RxTx RxTx DTP HDMI 301 Rx
HDMI LCD Display (Longhorn Bar)
LCD Display (Longhorn Bar)
LCD Display (Longhorn Bar)
LCD Display (Longhorn Bar)
www.avsystemsdesign.com Cover Story 35 Stage Lighting for THE RANCH At the FOH console station, a Road Hog lighting console from High End Systems provides centralized control of the lighting system The saloon features a comprehensive stage lighting system to through DMX512, an industry standard protocol for theatrical lighting provide a wide variety of lighting scenes and visual effects for control. In addition to the Road Hog, there is also a virtual console feature concert acts. It is also used to set the lighting ambiance on a PC, which serves as a backup for the primary console. on DJ nights or when a local band is performing. The system was A noteworthy feature of the stage lighting is a custom rotating designed and integrated by All Stage Pro in Santa Ana, CA, and mirror ball, fashioned of five Fender Telecaster guitar replicas mounted features a total of 83 lighting fixtures, the majority of which are to a center cone. Full-size replicas were created from an actual LED-based for significant electrical infrastructure and cost benefits Telecaster provided by Fender. Each guitar is fully adorned with compared to incandescent or arc lamps. In addition to lower energy mirrors, as well as actual Fender hardware. The center cone is covered usage, fewer electrical circuits are required for installing LED light with dark mirrors to add an extra dimension to the glittering effect. fixtures. “We have been encouraging the use of LED lighting to During the planning stages, Ingram worked closely with Andrew, our customers, so they can benefit from significant cost savings presenting 3D simulations through software modeling of the stage and be more green,” says Ian Ingram, Principal of All Stage Pro. and lighting system. “Andrew asked me to come up with something The stage lighting system includes a combination of wash lights, that he could be proud of,” says Ingram, a 20-year veteran of ellipsoidals, and moving lights rigged to battens over the stage professional lighting and sound with over 400 installations to his and dance floor. Additional lights, including LED striplights and credit. “In the end, we came up with a great system that will always bars, are mounted to trusses at the back and sides of the stage. produce an amazing light show and make everyone say ‘Wow!’”
Local AV Inputs and Outputs the Extron SMX 300, which is fed into an Extron HAE 100 that There are also local AV source and display hookups available extracts the embedded HDMI audio as S/PDIF digital audio. in the DJ booth and on the stage, with Extron DVI 201 A D Tx The AV sources also provide analog stereo audio output into and MTP T 15HD A D Decora twisted pair transmitters, and the Extron MAV Plus 168 AV. An audio output from this matrix DVI 201 A D Rx Decora twisted pair receivers installed in switcher then goes into the DSPs. This serves as a backup audio a four-gang junction box at both locations. The twisted pair path to the Soundweb London DSPs, similar to the redundancy DVI and analog VGA signals with audio go into two Extron built into the live sound reinforcement and DJ systems. MTP/HDMI U R receivers in the DJ booth, whose outputs then In addition to the “constellation” of Extron SI 28 and SI 28W feed directly into an Extron DVS 510 ten input scaler and switcher. speakers around the dance floor, there are many other Extron The DVS 510 provides video signal processing and optimization, speakers installed throughout, including 36 Extron SI 26CT and then delivers DVI output at HDTV 1080p to the SMX 300. ceiling speakers at the two bars for patrons to watch TV. A few Two of the HDMI outputs of the SMX 300 are sent over Extron Extron SI 26X speakers were substituted in a few locations where DVI 201 Tx twisted pair transmitters to the DVI 201 A D Rx unexpected obstructions above the ceiling were discovered. receivers on the stage and in the DJ booth. There are additional These speakers were modified with 70 volt transformers. SI 26CT video paths from the saloon AV system to the AV systems in the speakers were also installed in the lobby, restrooms, and restaurant, so that events in the saloon can be routed to private backstage areas. A pair of weatherproof speakers was used for the C
parties in The Porch or The Carolina Room. patio. In total, 87 Extron speakers were installed in the saloon. OURTE
Ten Extron XPA 2002-70V two channel ENERGY STAR qualified SY O F
Audio power amplifiers, in the rack at Monitor World, deliver 200 watts E LA T I In addition to distributing video to the LCD TVs, the AV system rms power per channel to the Extron speakers in the saloon. The ON P also provides audio distribution from the AV sources to the BSS amplifiers deliver plenty of headroom for the system to ensure RO F E SSI
Audio Soundweb London DSPs, which then route the audio to the clear, optimal sound quality. Extron 70 volt power amplifiers were ON speakers. The audio for the DSPs comes from an HDMI output of selected because of their high energy efficiency, compact size, and AL
36 Cover Story AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012 Saloon AV Audio System
Blu-ray Players iPod Dock
DIRECTV Receivers
PUSH PUSH HDMI
POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD iPod
SELECT Music DIRECTV Video Photos Podcasts Extras Songs PUSH PUSH Shuttle Songs
POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD Now Playing
SELECT DIRECTV
MENU
PUSH PUSH
POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD SELECT DVD Players DIRECTV
PUSH PUSH
POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD
SELECT DIRECTV
PUSH PUSH
POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD
SELECT DIRECTV
PUSH PUSH
POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD
SELECT DIRECTV
PUSH PUSH
POWER GUIDE MENU RES 480 480p 720p 1080i 1080p DIRECTV HD
SELECT DIRECTV Audio Media Player
Audio INPUTS PIP PICTURE CONTROLS ADJUST VOLUME PIP SIZE BRIGHT DETAIL MENU 1 2 3 4 5 ON/OFF /CONT MAX MID IR CONFIG MIN PIP POSITION COLOR ZOOM NEXT 6 7 8 9 10 SWAP /TINT /PAN
DVS 510 DIGITAL VIDEO SCALER Audio Extron HDMI HDMI DVS 510 SA Scaling Presentation Audio Switcher I/O PLANE SELECT 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
INPUTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 CONTROL ENTER PRESET VIEW ESC CONFIG
P MAIN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 O Extron W OUTPUTS E R I/O CARDS SMX SERIES SWITCHER SMX 300 Frame with 2 SMX 88 HDMI
HDMI HDMI INPUTS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 INPUT OUTPUT INPUT OUTPUT SIGNAL SIGNAL SIGNAL SIGNAL Extron CONTROL I/O HDCP HDCP HDCP HDCP
2-CH PCM ANALOG 2-CH PCM ANALOG CONFIG CONFIG 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ENTER PRESET VIEW ESC VIDEO AUDIO BITSTREAM S/PDIF BITSTREAM S/PDIF HAE 100 HAE 100 HAE 100 OUTPUTS HDMI AUDIO EXTRACTOR HDMI AUDIO EXTRACTOR HDMI Audio Extractors MAV PLUS SERIES S/PDIF S/PDIF AV MATRIX SWITCHER with IP LINK™ Extron MAV Plus 168 AV Audio 16x8 Matrix Switcher Extron VOLUME SOURCE MODE OVERRIDE INPUTS CLIP 1 2 3 4 5 D DOWNMIX SSP 7.1 DTS PL II/IIx Extron PCM DTS NEO:6 2-CH TO ALL Surround Sound
SPW 82 SPW 82 TWO WAY IN-WALL LOUDSPEAKER TWO WAY IN-WALL LOUDSPEAKER 1" TITANIUM SWIVEL TWEETER 1" TITANIUM SWIVEL TWEETER 8" WOOFER 8" WOOFER CONFIG SSP 7.1 SI 28W-MOD Extron SURROUND SOUND PROCESSOR Processor Two-Way In-Wall Speakers XPA 2002-70V Power Ampli ers
1 2 OVER TEMP LIMITER / PROTECT SIGNAL XPA 2002
SPW 82 SPW 82 Audio TWO WAY IN-WALL LOUDSPEAKER TWO WAY IN-WALL LOUDSPEAKER 1" TITANIUM SWIVEL TWEETER 1" TITANIUM SWIVEL TWEETER 8" WOOFER 8" WOOFER Signal Processors (Hall)
1 2 OVER
Saloon East East Saloon TEMP LIMITER / PROTECT SIGNAL XPA 2002
SPW 82 SPW 82 TWO WAY IN-WALL LOUDSPEAKER TWO WAY IN-WALL LOUDSPEAKER 1" TITANIUM SWIVEL TWEETER 1" TITANIUM SWIVEL TWEETER 8" WOOFER 8" WOOFER Extron SI 28W-MOD Two-Way In-Wall Speakers Extron SI 28-MOD Surface-Mount Speakers
1 2 OVER TEMP LIMITER / PROTECT SIGNAL XPA 2002
Extron Outdoor Speakers
(Trellis) Extron XPA 2002-70V Power Ampli ers
Saloon East East Saloon SI 28-MOD
Surface-Mount Patio
1 2 Speakers OVER TEMP LIMITER / PROTECT SIGNAL XPA 2002
1 2 OVER TEMP LIMITER / PROTECT SIGNAL Extron XPA 2002 Rest- SI 26CT rooms Two-Way Ceiling Speakers Extron 1 2
OVER Lobby TEMP LIMITER / PROTECT SIGNAL SI 28-MOD XPA 2002 Surface-Mount Speakers Extron Saloon NorthSaloon SI 26CT
1 2 OVER Two-Way Ceiling TEMP LIMITER / PROTECT SIGNAL XPA 2002 Speakers Bar
1 2 OVER TEMP LIMITER / PROTECT SIGNAL Mustang XPA 2002 Extron Extron SI 28-MOD SI 26CT Surface-Mount Two-Way Ceiling Speakers Speakers
1 2 1 2 OVER OVER TEMP LIMITER / PROTECT TEMP LIMITER / PROTECT SIGNAL SIGNAL Saloon West
XPA 2002 XPA 2002 Bar
Extron Extron Longhorn SI 28-MOD SI 26CT Surface-Mount Two-Way Ceiling Speakers Speakers
www.avsystemsdesign.com Cover Story 37 Several Extron system control products were used for THE RANCH, including the following:
• Four Extron IPCP 505 IP Link control processors, two in the saloon and two in the restaurant for controlling AV sources, Extron scaling and switching devices, displays, and the BSS Audio Soundweb London DSPs. An additional IPCP 505 is available for controlling future equipment added to the saloon. • An Extron IPL 250 IP Link control processor for The Carolina Room in the restaurant, dedicated to the local AV presentation system. • Six Extron TLP 1000TV tabletop TouchLink touchpanels at the restaurant and saloon host stations, FOH, DJ booth, The Carolina Room, and Andrew’s VIP booth in the saloon. • Four Extron TLP 1000MV wall-mounted TouchLink touchpanels for the Longhorn and Mustang bars in the saloon, the manager’s office, and The Porch in the restaurant. • An iPad with the TouchLink for iPad app.
The following summarizes the various system control capabilities available at THE RANCH, using a mix of Extron their transformerless amplifier designs that deliver significantly products and technologies. System control access varies according better audio performance over typical high impedance amplifiers to location and the staff member operating the controls. with step-up transformers. “Extron 70 volt amplifiers certainly were an appealing choice for their low power consumption, but a HVAC Automation big plus was the fact that they don’t use transformers, which can There are 36 temperature sensor locations throughout the restaurant be a limitation on audio quality,” Fish says. and saloon. At select locations, the Extron TouchLink touchpanel GUI includes a separate floor plan for each facility, showing the Integrating Traditionally Distinct Systems for Centralized locations of the sensors and their current temperature readings. System Control THE RANCH management has the authorization to change climate Bringing together AV, audio DSP, lighting, and the HVAC systems control set points at 33 of these sensor locations, including the into a single touchscreen control interface would be a significant dance floor, bars, stage, and each dining area of the restaurant. On challenge. For THE RANCH, the large quantity and wide variety of the dance floor, there are sensors at three different heights – 5, 10, devices, and the range of controls and functions required called for and 15 feet (1.5, 3, and 4.5 meters), a further testament of Andrew’s system design, integration, and configuration on a scale reserved particular dedication to ensuring patron comfort while dancing. for the most complex AV projects. The control system design necessitated interfacing with the HVAC systems using BACnet, an Lighting Scenes industry standard control protocol for building automation. All ambient lighting in the restaurant and saloon is managed by From the beginning, it was determined that the project should Extron TouchLink to control the Lutron Quantum lighting control leverage the technologies within the Extron IP Link control systems. Lighting scenes are recalled by authorized staff operating processor and TouchLink touchpanel families. THE RANCH the Extron control systems. Individual dimming adjustments are presented an opportunity for Extron to match the requirements available to further fine-tune specific lighting scenes or areas. For of an upscale entertainment venue with evolving Extron control example, house lights are dimmed prior to performances in the system technology. The result is an Extron control system solution saloon, using presets at the FOH or DJ booth touchpanels. that allows access to multiple AV and environmental system controls from a single touchpanel control interface, making it Saloon AV System quick and easy for authorized staff to apply system adjustments Wall-mounted Extron TouchLink touchpanels at the Longhorn without having to work with separate AV, lighting, or thermostat and Mustang bars allow bartenders and service staff to change controls at different locations. TV channels on individual displays. They can also set the volume
38 Cover Story AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012 The architectural lighting for THE RANCH establishes an appealing, welcoming ambiance for guests. Right (top and bottom): The restaurant and saloon each have a dedicated Lutron Quantum lighting control system with a series of Lutron LP dimming panels.
Architectural Lighting with Lutron Systems
Architectural lighting is a very Authorized staff at THE RANCH can engage lighting scenes important element of the interior and adjust levels in individual areas through wall-mounted Lutron design for an entertainment venue. seeTouch QS button panels. Lighting presets and dimming levels It defines the overall ambiance and can also be accessed through Extron TouchLink touchpanels visual character of the environment, and the Extron control system solution that communicates with while at the same time accenting key aesthetic elements of the Quantum processors. The Carolina Room in the restaurant the interior design. THE RANCH features a total of about 500 features a dedicated GRAFIK Eye QS controller that provides accent lighting fixtures throughout the restaurant and saloon, local scene programming and lighting control capabilities. including spotlights, pin-spot downlights, chandeliers, sconces, Lutron lighting systems were also installed throughout the cove lighting, and recessed lights. The architectural lighting for new Extron corporate headquarters building in Anaheim as well THE RANCH establishes the engaging, welcoming atmosphere as the new Extron building in Raleigh, NC. The systems feature that Andrew desires to bring to his guests every evening. occupancy sensors and astronomic timeclocks to optimize energy The lighting fixtures were integrated into a centralized lighting conservation, as well as Lutron EcoSystem digitally addressable management system with intuitive user controls. The Lutron ballasts. Many of the systems were also integrated with the HVAC Quantum lighting control system was selected for THE RANCH, systems to automatically adjust thermostats in unoccupied areas. comprising a Quantum processor and a series of Lutron LP Lutron XPS systems control essential lighting for the core dimming panels. Quantum, the newest and the most advanced and shell of each building, including the main lobby and central of Lutron’s centralized lighting automation technology, met the hallways. Conference rooms on each floor feature Lutron requirements for managing all lighting in THE RANCH. Andrew GRAFIK Eye QS lighting control to provide scenes for meetings, mandated separate Quantum systems for the restaurant and videoconference sessions, and AV presentations. GRAFIK Eye QS the saloon, allowing each system to operate independently and is also used in the Extron Institute training centers with lighting ensure full reliability. scenes for instructor-led or group-based training sessions, as well The 500 fixtures were wired into groups, called zones, based as video recording. Lighting scenes and levels can be accessed on type and location. There are 75 zones for the restaurant and 57 through the GRAFIK Eye QS panels, wall-mounted seeTouch QS for the saloon. Each Quantum system was configured using Lutron panels, or Extron TouchLink touchpanels. Q-Design software to arrange these zones by physical areas, such The lighting for individual offices and open office spaces as the Longhorn bar in the saloon, or one of the dining rooms in the are regulated using Lutron Energi Savr Nodes connected to restaurant. The systems were then programmed and commissioned seeTouch wall panels and occupancy sensors in each space. using Lutron Q-Admin software, to create a series of lighting scenes Each individual office and conference room in the building that deliver preset dimming levels for each zone within an area. features Lutron Sivoia QS shading systems. Sivoia QS shades Various lighting scenes are used daily at THE RANCH, such as for in the conference rooms are motorized and integrated into the late afternoon or early evening, or after sunset. GRAFIK Eye QS systems.
www.avsystemsdesign.com Cover Story 39 Extron TouchLink GUI Interfaces
Several touchpanel interfaces were created for Extron TouchLink TLP 1000MV and TLP 1000TV touchpanels at THE RANCH to provide intuitive AV, audio DSP, lighting, and HVAC control. Dedicated GUI designs were created for specific locations throughout, each with its own set of controls based on the intended application and degree of system access for the staff. For example, servers at the bars are able to select channels for the TVs and adjust volume levels, while the FOH engineer has the ability to set the sound system to specific concert presentation modes. Management has master control of all systems from their touchpanels, including the capability to monitor and adjust temperatures throughout the saloon Ten Extron 10 inch (25 cm) TouchLink touchpanels are used throughout THE RANCH. and restaurant. At the bars, servers can independently select channels for each of the six displays.
HVAC: 36 HVAC sensors in THE RANCH DSP: TLP 1000TV touchpanels at the FOH and AV: In The Porch dining room, the AV system is can be monitored from a custom GUI, which DJ booth allow DSP settings for concert and controlled via a TLP 1000MV touchpanel. provides controls for the HVAC system. music playback modes to be selected.
level and select the TV channel for the ceiling speakers at each into an “all-out” mode with the subs and main speaker arrays bar, bring up the channel guide, and power the TVs off or on. cranked up. The DJ can also control the TVs and adjust volume levels at the bars. A potentially important function for the DJ is the Restaurant AV System ability to engage analog backup audio for the DJ and AV systems. The host has the ability to select the input source for background music, and adjust volume levels in individual areas such as the FOH dining rooms. Dedicated Extron TouchLink touchpanels are The Extron TouchLink tabletop touchpanel at the FOH console provided for local AV systems in The Carolina Room and The Porch provides a series of audio DSP presets to engage various concert for selecting and operating input sources, controlling the displays, modes for the system, with predetermined levels for the main adjusting volume level, and selecting background music or one of speaker arrays and subs. The presets also allow for control of the the local sources for the speakers. The controls also allow lighting audio content going to the front fill speakers and the subwoofers. scene selection and setting the room temperature. In The Porch, The FOH engineer can use the touchpanel to initiate analog audio the user can also drop down or retract the projection screen. backup in the event of a system failure, and assist the DJ by recalling DSP presets for the DJ system. DJ System The tabletop Extron TouchLink touchpanel in the DJ booth Master System Control provides access to a series of audio DSP presets to switch between THE RANCH management, including Andrew, has master control various DJ presentation modes that focus the audio toward the of all systems including HVAC, the sound system, and lighting dance floor, spread the audio around the room, or bring the system functions in both the restaurant and saloon. There is also the ability
40 Cover Story AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012 Above: The Carolina Room features a dedicated AV system with a 70-inch (178 cm) LCD monitor and Extron SI 26X speakers. Right (top): The Porch features its own AV system with a DLP projector and Extron SI 26 speakers. Right (bottom): The restaurant AV systems utilize ENERGY STAR qualifiedE xtron amplifiers for their performance and efficiency.
Restaurant AV Systems
The restaurant has three AV systems that serve its own requirements A total of 61 Extron SI 26 surface mount speakers are installed in the distinct from the saloon. The primary system supplies background restaurant, all modified with 70 volt transformers.M ost are side-mounted music to all areas including the lobby, bar, two dining rooms, The using custom brackets to cedar beam trusses bracing the vaulted Carolina Room for up to 14 private dining guests, The Porch interior ceilings. Others are installed above custom coffered ceilings to a Unistrut and exterior patios for up to 50 guests, the restrooms, and even support system via Extron V-Lock mounts. Elsewhere in the restaurant, the kitchen. The Carolina Room and The Porch have dedicated AV there are several Extron SI 26CT and SI 26X ceiling speakers, and systems for clients to deliver multimedia presentations. weatherproof speakers for the outdoor patio and entrance areas. In total, 86 Extron speakers are installed throughout the restaurant. Background Music System As in the saloon, the aim of the distributed sound system design The background music system is tucked away behind custom millwork was to create a high density or “constellation” of speakers with plenty recessed into the wall. It features several background music sources, of headroom from the amplifiers.T his provides even distribution of high including a triple-iPod/iPhone dock, a CD changer, and a network quality sound to everyone at moderate volume levels. media player. They go into a system of three BSS Audio Soundweb London DSPs dedicated to providing audio signal processing, Presentation AV Systems management, and routing to designated speaker zones throughout the The equipment for The Carolina Room is housed in a small rack within restaurant. Sense microphones, installed in several areas, are used by the custom cabinetry, while the system for The Porch is situated in the DSPs to detect ambient noise levels in individual zones, and then the background music system rack. Both are identically configured compensate with subtle volume adjustments. There are digital audio with a DirecTV HD tuner, a Blu-ray Disc player, and digital and analog links to and from the saloon sound system. AV connectivity through Extron MTP/HDMI U T A D Decora twisted The outputs from the DSPs feed into a series of Extron ENERGY pair transmitters on the wall and in a floor box.T hey are paired with STAR qualified amplifiers, including six XPA 2002-70V two channel MTP/HDMI U R twisted pair receivers that go into an Extron DVS 510 power amplifiers, twoM PA 401-70V mono amplifiers, and an ten input switcher and scaler. The DVI output from the DVS 510, XPA 2001-70V mono amplifier.T he XPA 2002-70Vs provide 200 watts together with the HDMI from the AV sources, are directed into an rms power per channel, more than ample headroom to power speakers Extron SW4 HDMI four input HDMI switcher, whose output is then in individual zones. The other amplifiers provide 40 watts and 100 watts transmitted over to the display via an Extron DTP HDMI 301 twisted pair rms for smaller speaker zones in the kitchen and restroom. extender. The balanced stereo audio output from the DVS 510 goes to Extron ENERGY STAR qualified 70 volt amplifiers were selected for the Soundweb London DSPs in the background music system rack. their high quality audio performance as well as their energy and space The Carolina Room features a 70-inch (178 cm) Sharp LCD efficiency.T hey are convection cooled and generate very little heat, flat-panel display recessed behind the custom woodwork, while an allowing them to be situated close together and directly adjacent to overhead-mounted Panasonic DLP WUXGA projector with a long-throw other AV devices, an important benefit given the limited space available lens is installed in The Porch. Wall-mounted microphone connections in the rack. The two MPA 401-70V amplifiers and XPA 2001-70V are also available in The Porch, which are run to the background music together occupy just a single rack unit of space. system rack and input to the DSPs.
www.avsystemsdesign.com Cover Story 41 to monitor sound pressure levels in the saloon through microphones relied on the Extron GUI Configurator software as a powerful, above the dance floor, adjust microphone levels for the DJ and easy-to-use design tool to expedite the creation of Extron dance instructor, and more. These controls provide the capability TouchLink touchpanel interfaces. Custom graphical elements to quickly respond to any need for adjustments, but foremost, help were easily imported into the software through the resource ensure satisfaction for patrons at THE RANCH. management tool, and then used with the GUI Configurator customization features to create layouts for the primary, pop-up, Power Management and modal pop-up pages. The design of the visual elements and In addition to master system controls, Andrew mandated the page layouts incorporates the principles and recommendations in incorporation of active power management for the sound system the Extron Guide to Graphical User Interface Design. and the AV systems in THE RANCH, so they can be remotely shut off every night to conserve energy. The Extron control system is Perfecting the GUIs for the End User programmed to automatically power down all of the rack systems The GUIs were tested on-site at various stages of their development, in the saloon and restaurant after closing, as well as the FOH and by uploading them to the Extron TouchLink touchpanels at Monitor World mixing consoles. The systems are automatically THE RANCH, and then carefully evaluating their user-friendliness, powered up again the following day, at specific times according to practical functionality, and visual presence in actual lighting and operating hours for the restaurant and saloon. Button controls are operating conditions. Modifications and fine-tuning were applied also available on the TouchLink GUI to turn individual systems as necessary, ultimately allowing the team to perfect the GUIs for on or off. Additionally, any system shut down will automatically the viewing environment, and to the needs of the management be powered upon activation of a control function. Four Extron and staff. IPL T PC1 IP Link controllers for AC power and eight Furman Sound MINIPORT-20 remote power relay units were installed at The Final Result the racks to power up and shut down systems. Since the completion of the saloon and its opening to the public, sound system engineering experts, local and touring bands, A Successful Extron Control System Solution and veteran musicians have had an opportunity to experience The Extron control system interfaces with the Tridium Niagara- THE RANCH, and all have been extremely impressed with the based network, via BACnet, to communicate with the building acoustics and performance of the sound system. Reactions were automation systems for HVAC. Using features derived from the all very positive from professionals and local fans alike. upcoming release of Extron Global Configurator Professional, the “We have heard many enthusiastic comments from folks in control system groups several Extron IP Link control processors the audio community,” Fish says. “It’s great to get the positive and control from 10 Extron TouchLink touchpanel locations. feedback for the saloon system in these early days.” The saloon Conditional logic allows for communication and system status regularly hosts local bands and will continue to feature headline reporting between touchpanels, and also for the system to operate concerts with higher-level performers on tour. And it will always the HVAC systems. The Extron control system solution also relied be ready to welcome the top-tier artist looking for a flagship on the Extron Global Configurator software and the dependability country music club for a new album promotion, or just wanting of the Extron IP Link control processors, TouchLink touchpanels, a more intimate place to audition their tunes. THE RANCH has and Extron Certified device drivers to reliably control AV sources, never had a formal promotional campaign or grand opening. displays, and Extron devices. Yet it is continuing to quickly grow in popularity throughout Orange County and Southern California, simply by its reputation Creating the GUIs and word-of-mouth. The integration team was tasked with creating touchpanel In many ways, THE RANCH is representative of the core interfaces integrating a diversity of AV and environmental system philosophies that have sustained Extron for nearly three functions into a GUI that also is easy to operate for the staff. The decades – doing the job right the first time, with high quality visual themes of the GUI needed to be consistent with the color products backed by industry-leading service that keeps customers scheme and styling of THE RANCH’s promotional materials. coming back. “I created THE RANCH as a place that country To ensure the greatest flexibility in customizing the visual look music enthusiasts like me could call home,” says Andrew. “A and feel of the interfaces, graphical elements and page layouts top-notch staff serving meals prepared from scratch, and the were created from scratch. Third-party image software was high performance sound and AV systems have come together used to craft all graphical elements, including the backgrounds, to provide the highest quality fine dining and live performance multi-state buttons, icons, and level indicators. The team then experience available anywhere in Southern California.”
42 Cover Story AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012 RESTAURANT & SALOON
AV EQUIPMENT LIST
2 BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-160 SALOON Networked digital signal processor — SOUND SYSTEM – HOUSE — 3 BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-800 Networked digital signal processor 2 Apple iPad 2 1 Clear-Com FL-7 StageMix app for Yamaha remote console operation Intercom call signal flasher and SPL monitoring 1 Clear-Com MS-702 1 Dell 24 inch (61 cm) LCD monitor Intercom main station For monitoring Tascam digital audio recorder 1 Clear-Com Tempest2400 2 Clear-Com RS-601 Wireless intercom system Wired intercom bodypack 1 Extron DMP 64 2 Clear-Com CC-95 ProDSP digital matrix processor Intercom headset 8 Extron MDA 3A 1 Clear-Com FL-7 Three output audio distribution amplifier Intercom call signal flasher 10 Extron XPA 2002-70V 35 Extron SI 28 Two channel 400 watt power amplifier Surface mount speaker, modified with 70 volt transformer 6 Furman Sound MINIPORT-20 7 Extron SI 28W Remote power relay In-wall speaker, modified with 70 volt transformer and ceiling-mounted 5 Furman Sound P-8 Pro Series II AC power conditioner 1 Furman Sound MINIPORT-20 Remote power relay 2 Meyer Sound Galileo 616 Digital signal processor for management of Meyer 1 High End Systems Road Hog Sound speakers Stage lighting console 1 Meyer Sound MPS-488HP 1 Laptop 48 volt power supply for MM-4XP speakers Hog 3PC virtual console software for High End Systems remote lighting operation and RMS software for Meyer 8 Meyer Sound UM-1P Sound remote speaker monitoring Stage monitor speaker 2 Meyer Sound 600-HP 2 Meyer Sound UM-100P Double-15 inch (38 cm) subwoofer – flown Stage monitor speaker 5 Meyer Sound 700-HP 1 Meyer Sound UMS-1P Double-18 inch (45 cm) subwoofer – under stage Subwoofer 12 Meyer Sound MICA 2 Patch bay with 24 RJ-45 ports In two six speaker arrays for stage left and right 1 Patch bay with 32 duplex LC fiber optic ports 2 Meyer Sound MM-4XP 1 Ramtech 54 channel custom stage box Mini speakers for columns on the dance floor Two direct outputs and two transformer-isolated outputs 3 Meyer Sound UPQ-1P 1 Rosendahl Studiotechnik nanosyncs HD Speakers for center fill and DJ back fill Video and audio sync reference generator 4 Meyer Sound UPM-1P 2 Shure PA421SWB Speakers for front stage fill RF antenna combiner 1 Yamaha M7CL-48ES 1 Shure PA845SWB Digital 48 channel mixing console for FOH, equipped with: RF distribution amplifier 1 Yamaha MY16-ES64 EtherSound card 8 Shure P9T 2 Yamaha MY16EX-CA EtherSound expansion card Wireless transmitter for PSM900 wireless in-ear monitors 1 Yamaha MBM7CL meter bridge 4 Shure UR4D+ 1 Yamaha PW800 power supply Wireless mic receiver — — 1 Tascam X-48 SOUND SYSTEM – STAGE 48 track hard disk-based digital audio recorder 14 Bittree 489 Series 7 Yamaha AD8HR 2×24 programmable audio patch bay Eight channel remote microphone preamp 1 Bittree Video Series 1 Yamaha DME 64N 2×24 video WECO patch bay Digital signal processor
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www.avsystemsdesign.com Cover Story 43 1 Yamaha M7CL-48ES 4 Shure UR2/Beta 58A Digital 48 channel mixing console for monitoring, Wireless cardioid handheld microphone equipped with: 1 Yamaha MY8-DA96CA analog card — DJ SYSTEM — 1 Yamaha MBM7CL meter bridge 1 Yamaha PW800 power supply 1 Dell 24 inch (61 cm) LCD monitor 2 Yamaha NAI48-ES 1 Extron IPL T PC1 IP Link AC power and device controller EtherSound digital audio network interface 2 Extron SI 28W — MICROPHONE KIT — In-wall speaker, ceiling-mounted 1 Extron XPA 2002 1 AKG C 451 B/ST Two channel 400 watt power amplifier Condenser, cardioid microphone – matched pair 2 Laptop 1 AKG D 112 Playback of uncompressed WAV music files Dynamic, large diaphragm cardioid microphone 2 Pioneer CDJ-900 1 Audix DP8 Elite Multi-format DJ audio player Drum microphone kit 1 Pioneer DJM-900 1 Audix FireBall DJ mixer Dynamic, cardioid harmonica microphone 1 Rane Serato SL 4 3 Audix OM2 Scratch processor Dynamic, hypercardioid vocal microphone 2 Shure PGX4 6 Audix OM3 Wireless receiver Dynamic, hypercardioid vocal microphone 1 Shure SRH750DJ 1 Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD II Professional DJ headphones Ribbon, figure 8 microphone – Blumlein pair 1 Cascade Microphones V57 — AV SYSTEM — Condenser, large diaphragm and stereo pair kit 4 Countryman EMW 2 Denon DBP-2012UDCI Blu-ray Disc player Condenser, omnidirectional lavalier microphone 2 Countryman Type 10 7 DirecTV H25 HD receiver Direct box 4 Da Cappo DA12AC 6 Extron DTP HDMI 301 HDMI twisted pair extender Condenser, omnidirectional headworn microphone 2 Electro-Voice RE320 2 Extron DVI 201 A D Rx DVI twisted pair receiver Dynamic, cardioid large diaphragm microphone 3 Heil Sound PR 20 2 Extron DVI 201 A D Tx DVI twisted pair transmitter Dynamic, cardioid microphone 1 Neumann KMS-104 2 Extron DVI 201 Tx DVI twisted pair transmitter Condenser, cardioid vocal microphone 8 Radial Engineering J48 1 Extron DVS 510 SA Ten input scaling presentation switcher Active direct box 4 Radial Engineering JPC 2 Extron HAE 100 HDMI audio extractor Computer direct box 4 Sennheiser MD 421-II 1 Extron MAV Plus 168 AV Composite video and audio matrix switcher Dynamic, cardioid instrument microphone 6 Shure BETA 58A 4 Extron MTP T AV RCA Video twisted pair transmitter Dynamic, cardioid vocal microphone 2 Shure BETA 87C 2 Extron MTP T 15HD A D VGA twisted pair transmitter Condenser, super cardioid vocal microphone 1 Shure BETA 91A 2 Extron MTP/HDMI U R Universal twisted pair receiver Condenser, half cardioid kick drum microphone 4 Shure BETA 98D/S 1 Extron SMX 300 System MultiMatrix Modular matrix switcher with two SMX 88 HDMI I/O boards Condenser, cardioid miniature drum microphone 4 Shure BETA 98H/C 36 Extron SI 26CT Ceiling speaker Condenser, cardioid clip-on instrument microphone 1 Shure DMK57-52 6 Extron SI 26X Ceiling speaker, modified with 70 volt transformer Drum microphone kit 6 Shure SM58 1 Extron SSP 7.1 Surround sound processor Dynamic, cardioid handheld microphone
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44 Cover Story AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012 1 Furman Sound MINIPORT-20 1 Middle Atlantic RM-iDock-3M Remote power relay Triple iPhone/iPod dock 6 Sharp PN-E521 1 Western Digital WD TV Live 52 inch (132 cm) LCD display Streaming media player 1 Middle Atlantic RM-iDock-3M Triple iPhone/iPod dock — THE CAROLINA ROOM — 2 Tascam DV-D01U 1 DirecTV H25 DVD player HD receiver 1 Western Digital WD TV Live 1 Denon DBP-2012UDCI Streaming media player Blu-ray Disc player — — 1 Extron DTP HDMI 301 GREEN ROOM HDMI twisted pair extender 1 Clear-Com KB-702 1 Extron DVS 510 SA Intercom remote speaker station Ten input scaling presentation switcher 1 DirecTV H25 1 Extron IPL T PC1 HD receiver IP Link AC power and device controller 1 Extron MLC 62 RS D 1 Extron MTP/HDMI U T A D MediaLink controller Universal twisted pair transmitter 1 Sharp PN-E521 1 Extron MTP/HDMI U R 52 inch (132 cm) LCD display Universal twisted pair receiver 1 Extron SW4 HDMI — CONTROL — Four input HDMI switcher 2 Apple iPad 2 1 Sharp PN-L702B TouchLink for iPad app for remote TouchLink operation 70 inch (178 cm) LCD display 2 Extron IPCP 505 — — IP Link control processor THE PORCH 3 Extron TLP 1000MV 1 DirecTV H25 10 inch (25 cm) TouchLink wall-mounted touchpanel HD receiver 4 Extron TLP 1000TV 1 Denon DBP-2012UDCI 10 inch (25 cm) TouchLink tabletop touchpanel Blu-ray Disc player 1 Draper Access / Series V 133 inch (338 cm) 16:9 motorized front projection screen RESTAURANT 1 Extron DTP HDMI 301 HDMI twisted pair extender — BACKGROUND MUSIC SYSTEM — 1 Extron DVS 510 SA 2 BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-160 Ten input scaling presentation switcher Networked digital signal processor 1 Extron IPL T PC1 1 BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-800 IP Link AC power and device controller Networked digital signal processor 1 Extron MTP/HDMI U T A D 1 BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-BOB2 Universal twisted pair transmitter Audio output expander 1 Extron MTP/HDMI U R 1 Denon DCM-390P Universal twisted pair receiver CD changer 1 Extron SW4 HDMI 1 Extron IPL T PC1 Four input HDMI switcher IP Link AC power and device controller 1 Panasonic PT-DZ6710 2 Extron MPA 401-70V 6,000 lumen WUXGA DLP projector Mono 40 watt power amplifier 61 Extron SI 26 — CONTROL — Surface mount speaker, modified with 70 volt transformer 2 Extron IPCP 505 17 Extron SI 26CT IP Link control processor Ceiling speaker 1 Extron TLP 1000MV 8 Extron SI 26X 10 inch (25 cm) TouchLink wall-mounted touchpanel Ceiling speaker, modified with 70 volt transformer 2 Extron TLP 1000TV 1 Extron XPA 2001-70V 10 inch (25 cm) TouchLink tabletop touchpanel Mono 200 watt power amplifier 6 Extron XPA 2002-70V Two channel 400 watt power amplifier
theranch.com
www.avsystemsdesign.com Cover Story 45 THE RANCH Restaurant
The restaurant at THE RANCH offers a high quality fine dining The sixth floor of theE xtron corporate headquarters building is experience in an elegant yet inviting décor, welcoming guests in home to THE RANCH Cellar. By the summer of 2013, there will also an atmosphere of comfort and old-fashioned genuine hospitality. A be a world class instructional kitchen with stadium-style seating for 18 seasonally driven menu emphasizes farm to table fresh ingredients, guests, a 50 seat private dining room with its own wine cellar and 20 and features dishes inspired by a variety of regional American cuisines seat tasting room, and a 200 seat private dining and meeting facility. and flavors, frequently complemented with culinary influences from A large, fully equipped kitchen will support events on the sixth floor. around the world. THE RANCH Restaurant abides by a philosophy of To ensure the best possible service and quality to his customers, cooking from scratch with the finest ingredients possible, to capture Andrew established an internal culinary R&D program over a year the rustic style of wine country and the freshest flavors of the farm. in advance of opening THE RANCH. He built an experimental Executive Chef Michael Rossi and his culinary team create kitchen, and brought in food and wine experts to conceptualize, dishes featuring hand selected, organically grown produce in create, critically evaluate, and fine-tune menu items, cocktails, season, much of it locally harvested from the Edwards Ranch and food and wine combinations. The Executive Chef and Master Estates, where it is picked just before the peak of maturity for Sommelier are both highly experienced, boasting extensive maximum flavor and served at the table within hours.O ther key backgrounds in cuisine and wine with experience in several of ingredients include fresh, sustainable seafood selections, meats the region’s most noted restaurants. Andrew absolutely wanted sourced from the highest quality ranches and farms, and the to ensure that everything reflected the utmost in quality and best from the California artisan bread and cheese makers. refinement by the timeT HE RANCH opened to the public. The restaurant offers a value oriented, diverse selection The kitchen for THE RANCH is a state-of-the-art showcase facility, of world class international wines from THE RANCH Cellar, equipped with the latest in culinary technologies and a full staff that which houses an extensive, 14,000 bottle collection, judiciously prepares all the essential foundations of its dishes from scratch daily. selected by Vice President of Food & Beverage and Master Chef Rossi has proclaimed this facility to be “The ‘Lamborghini’ of Sommelier Michael Jordan. The collection represents the world’s kitchens” and “The most beautiful kitchen in Orange County.” premier wine growing regions with an emphasis on California and the West Coast. The wine list features over 80 wines by the glass and over 500 bottle selections to complement the dishes Please visit www.theranch.com for more information on the restaurant and online reservations. which have been specifically crafted to pair with them.
46 Cover Story AV SYSTEMS DESIGN Summer 2012